Early Kindergarten

MCPS Early Kindergarten

Missoula County Public Schools, School District #1, is excited to announce the opening of two Early Kindergarten classrooms for the 18-19 school year. The two classes of up to 20 students each will be housed at the Jefferson Center at 1700 South Avenue and will welcome students to their first day of school on Wednesday, September 26, 2018. Early Kindergarten classrooms will be separate from the existing Preschool classrooms at Jefferson Center, but students will have chances to intermingle during the school day.

The goal of the Early Kindergarten program is to help targeted students with kindergarten readiness skills. We are focusing the Early Kindergarten classrooms on students who live in the following neighborhoods:

Northside/Westside ( Lowell Elementary)

Franklin to the Fort ( Franklin Elementary)

River Road (Hawthorne Elementary)

Southgate Triangle (Russell Elementary)

Research shows that students who experience certain risk factors are shown to have more trouble meeting baseline academic, social, and emotional targets when they enter kindergarten. MCPS wants to ensure that all students in our community are prepared to succeed in kindergarten and beyond by providing a language rich program designed to add intensive resources for targeted four-year-olds.

WHO:

The program will serve students who turn four on or before September 10th and will give priority to the following factors:

meets the income eligibility of 200% or less of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (see chart below), or;

is Limited English Proficient within the meaning of Title III of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, or;

is homeless as defined in 42 U.S. Code § 11302, or;

does not meet these requirements, but is recommended for enrollment by the administration.

Only students who live within MCPS elementary district boundaries will be admitted to the program.

200% of the Federal Poverty Level Guidelines

Family Size

Annual

Monthly

Weekly

1

$24,280

$2,023

$467

2

$32,920

$2,743

$633

3

$41,560

$3,463

$799

4

$50,200

$4,183

$965

5

$58,840

$4,903

$1,132

6

$67,480

$5,623

$1,298

7

$76,120

$6,343

$1,464

8

$84,760

$7,063

$1,630

Each Additional

$8,640

$720

$166

WHEN:

Parents interested in applying for the program will follow a two-stage process.

Applications will be accepted at the Jefferson Center Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.All applications must be received by Friday, September 14, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.

Parents will need to provide the following information when applying for the program:

A copy of the student's Birth Certificate. (The hospital issued Certificate of Live Birth is NOT a birth certificate.)

Address Verification - two items that verify physical home address, such as utility bill, phone bill or lease agreement.

Applications will be reviewed the week of September 10th and parents whose students are invited to enroll will be notified by September 19, 2018. At that time, parents who wish to enroll will complete the full MCPS enrollment packet, including the student’s immunization records. All enrollments must be completed by Thursday, September 20th at 4:00 p.m.Information about student transportation to and from school will be communicated by Friday, September 21, 2018.

The first day of class will be Wednesday, September 26, 2018, and the last day of classes will be Friday, June 7, 2018. Families will be welcomed to attend a parent night about the program on Monday, September 24, 2018.

SCHOOL DAY:

Classes will likely run from 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. Complete schedule details will be communicated as soon as possible. Students who use MCPS transportation will likely be picked up at local bus stops around 8:15 a.m. and arrive home around 3:15 p.m. Transportation details will be worked out during the enrollment process. Parents or other designated adults must be present with the student at the bus stop for pick up and drop off.

ANNUAL CALENDAR:

Students in the Early Kindergarten program will attend school for a minimum of 360 aggregate hours across the entire school year and will follow this academic calendar.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Where will my child attend Kindergarten in the 19-20 school year?

Your child’s elementary school will be based on your address at the time your child starts kindergarten. MCPS attendance boundaries can be found on ourwebsite.

Will there be meals provided during the school day?

Yes, breakfast and lunch will be provided during the school day. Students who do not qualify for Free or Reduced Price lunches can purchase breakfast for $1.50 and lunch for $2.50 each day.

Will students take naps during the day?

Students will have a rest period. The school will provide a mat and pillow for students to use during the rest period.

What school supplies should my child bring to school?

Students should bring in a change of clothes including shoes, socks and underwear to be stored at school. Please clearly label all items with your child’s name.

Does my child need to be able to use the toilet independently at all times?

Yes, students need to be able to use a toilet independently to participate in the Early Kindergarten program.

If I live in the boundaries for another elementary school district (i.e. Hellgate Elementary or Target Range Elementary), can my child participate in this program?

No, the Early Kindergarten program is only open to four-year-old students who live within the MCPS Elementary District boundaries.